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About Mark Mateya

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So far Mark Mateya has created 171 blog entries.

Caring for our Parents: Balancing the Need to Help With the Need for Independence

2017-11-15T15:59:52-05:00August 1st, 2011|Taking Care of Your Parents: My Own Story|

We may have different ways of showing it, but most of us want our parents to be happy and well cared for in their golden years. Some of us want to rush in and set things up for Mom or Dad so that we know that they are well provided for. Others believe “if Mom needs my help, she’ll ask me.” So we’re all over the map.

But what about Mom? Everything we’re thinking, everything we’re trying to work out is from our point of view. What does it look like from her point of view? […]

Power of Attorney — When Can It be Signed?

2017-11-15T15:59:52-05:00July 21st, 2011|Power of Attorney Abuse|

Our blog features the fictitious story of Aunt Gertrude and her niece Milly who serves as her attorney in fact through the power of attorney document. The question must be raised in each such situation — Was Aunt Gertrude aware of what she was signing? Did Milly or the attorney thoroughly explain the document which she was signing? What were the circumstances surrounding the signing of the power of attorney document? We will address this last question first.

Any person signing, also referred to executing, a legal document must be aware of what it is he or she is signing. The […]

Power of Attorney — “Can She Do That?”

2017-11-15T15:59:52-05:00July 13th, 2011|Power of Attorney Abuse|

“The best thing for Aunt Gertrude would be to have someone help her, to look out for her, you know. . .help her with her check book and what not.” This comment, or one like it, is often what you hear at a family gathering after dear Aunt Gertrude toddles past with her walker or leaning on her cane. With the Fourth of July just past, you may have been a part of a similar conversation.

So Aunt Gertrude appoints her dear niece Milly as her attorney-in-fact, often referred to as her power of attorney. Milly’s attorney drafts a standard power […]

A Little Step: Lending a Helping Hand

2017-11-15T15:59:52-05:00July 6th, 2011|Taking Care of Your Parents: My Own Story|

If you have followed my story at all, you know that my brothers and I are trying our very best to care for our aging mother. And, like most of you who have followed this blog, you were not prepared to be a caregiver for your parents either. We seem to be at a difficult spot. . .what to do when Mom isn’t quite ready to give up the house and home she loves but can’t quite take care of herself the way she once did.

Mom does appreciate our efforts, to be sure. She is 87 years old, and will […]

Taking Care of Our Parents: Our Next Baby Steps

2017-11-15T15:59:52-05:00June 8th, 2011|Taking Care of Your Parents: My Own Story|

It can be downright embarrassing. You are helping your parents in their golden years. Sometimes the help is deciding where the investments should be kept. For most of us, it is more down-to-earth decisions, like where will Mom & Dad stay if one of them needs physical or mental assistance.

Most recently, I was sitting with my mother while a nurse came in to visit with her. After remarking on how well she keeps her house (it is immaculate. . .I think dust stopped trying to collect at her house. It just moved on.), she began with the medical questions…you […]

Taking Care of Our Parents: My “Baby Steps”

2017-11-15T15:59:52-05:00June 6th, 2011|Taking Care of Your Parents: My Own Story|

Many of us are thrown into making long-term care or health care decisions by an emergency. Your Mom falls and breaks her hip, or you get a call that Dad is wandering, sometimes aimlessly, and the neighbors are afraid that he’ll wander off. These events are heartbreaking and, often, budget-busting. When your parents’ doctor tells you “we need to know where you want your mother to be transferred to for her long-term rehabilitation” and gives you four hours to decide, you have a problem. And this scenario plays out everyday.

Instead of being thrown into the fire, you can do what […]

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